Running back Leon Washington signed a one-year contract, and he'll be able to fill a couple of roles. Offensively, Washington is more of a change-of-pace back, similar to free agent Danny Woodhead.

The Pats could use Washington for depth purposes if Shane Vereen continues to emerge the way he did late last season. Or, Washington could fit into the mix if things go sour with Jeff Demps, who wants to be a two-sport athlete and has turned his focus to track this offseason.

The 5-foot-8, 203-pounder didn't get much work last season with the Seattle Seahawks with career lows of 23 carries, 83 yards and four receptions.

Washington, who turns 31 in August, is also a dynamic kick returner, and his eight touchdowns are tied for the NFL record with Josh Cribbs. That is particularly important because the Patriots ranked 25th in kickoff return average last season and 29th in 2011.

Washington and the Pats struck a deal during his day-long visit to Foxboro. Last night, he tweeted “Let's go Pats” with a photo of himself in a Pats hat at Gillette Stadium.

With Washington and wide receiver Danny Amendola in the fold, the Patriots will turn to the other side of the ball. They'll host defensive end John Abraham and safety Adrian Wilson on visits today, according to multiple reports. Of course, it's possible the Pats have met with other defensive players under the radar, but these are the most high-profile targets since free agency started.

Abraham, who turns 35 in May, had at least 9.5 sacks in his last three seasons.

Wilson has been an effective in-the-box safety during his 12-year career with the Cardinals, who released him last week. Free agent safety Ed Reed is reportedly asking for $6 million per season, so Wilson would figure to get less than that.

Free agent cornerback Aqib Talib still doesn't have a team, but at least he's got a market.

As expected, the crowded pool of talented cornerbacks has destroyed their value. Anyone hoping to land five-year, $50 million deals like Brandon Carr and Cortland Finnegan from a year ago has become sorely disappointed.

Five of the top-tier cornerbacks have signed in recent days, including Keenan Lewis with the Saints (five years, $26 million, $10.5 million guaranteed), Derek Cox with the Chargers (four years, $20 million, $10.25 million guaranteed), Sean Smith with the Chiefs (three years, $18 million, $12 million guaranteed), Cary Williams with the Eagles (three years, $17 million, $10.5 million guaranteed) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie with the Broncos (one year, $5 million), according to reports.

Talib's market might be most similar to Smith's, so he might be eyeing a three-year contract worth about $18 million with the guaranteed money north of the $10.6 million it would have cost to franchise him. Or, if Talib sees a more lucrative market in 2014 (like Rodgers-Cromartie might have), he can take the gamble on a one-year contract.

The NFL's collective bargaining agreement appeals panel upheld its ruling yesterday that former Patriots defensive lineman Jonathan Fanene did not properly disclose all relevant medical information during his physical last year, according to a 14-page document obtained by the Herald.

The Pats are trying to recoup $2.5 million of the $3.85 million signing bonus paid to Fanene, who was cut during training camp due to a knee injury. They argued Fanene didn't disclose his need to regularly take painkillers to practice and play before signing his contract. . . .